Burley Hopper Bike Trailer Review | Convertible & Convenient

To convert the Hopper from its trailer mode to its wagon mode, I recommend first folding down the caster wheels and making sure they’re locked into place, then disconnecting the tow arm from the hitch attached to the bike.

The trailer’s tow arm detaches from its guides on the side of the compartment and inserts into a receptacle at the rear of the trailer. Then, the push handles fold out and secure into place with a unique sliding mechanism; once that is done, the wagon is ready to roll!

I found the conversion process straightforward and super fast; the process took all of 15 seconds to complete after a couple of experiences running through the steps.

In practice, the wagon functioned well; once again, I pushed it around with its weight limit reached by two sandbags. The wheels rolled smoothly, and the Hopper maneuvered effectively, though there was some flex in the handlebars and tow arm that I interpreted as a tradeoff for their foldability and quick setup.

A feature that stood out to me was the foot-lever-operated parking brake. The trailer is obviously designed to roll, so I was pleased to note that Burley included a parking brake to prevent the Hopper from getting away when I wanted it to stay put.

The trailer’s ability to convert to a wagon is a convenient feature that I haven’t seen elsewhere. I greatly appreciated its utility, and I can imagine a wide variety of uses for the wagon, making it suitable for riders of all types.

Potential use cases could include wheeling firewood around a campsite, hauling a soccer ball and a couple of frisbees to the park, carting a cooler and lounge chairs to a satisfactory spot on the beach, and beyond.

The Hopper’s setup process was as quick and convenient as its conversion from trailer to wagon mode. The fabric compartment ships collapsed and can be expanded by folding up the frame’s quick-release levers. The tow arm inserts as previously described, and the wheels install securely into the axle with the press of a button.

It’s worth noting that Burley’s design is remarkably intuitive; every important button, lever, or clasp related to the Hopper’s operation is cast from a bright yellow plastic. Even the seam in the fabric where the safety flag inserts is stitched in yellow, making it easy to locate next to the attached webbing.

As I mentioned in the intro, the Hopper can be outfitted with optional accessories to expand its functionality. It includes interior storage pockets, but customers can add Seat Insert and Sunshade Kits, Interior Organizer (divider) Kits, and 16+ (fat tire) Wheel Kits at purchase.

Burley sent us two of the seat/sunshade kits to try out. One seat and a sunshade can be installed on either side of the storage compartment. I found the seats relatively easy to install, though they required a few less-intuitive steps, including partially collapsing the frame. The sunshades attached easily without a hitch (pun intended).

While I do not personally have children, I collected some feedback from the parents around our office. In general, the team liked that the trailer could be outfitted with up to two seats, and they appreciated the 5-point safety harness. As a point of critique, they expressed a desire for a removable floor mat, considering that the bare floor surface is made of a felt-like material that may be difficult to clean.

Otherwise, we appreciated the sunshade’s included window and magnetic closure, as well as the seat’s soft, collapsible construction, which made it convenient to store when not in use.

It’s important to note that the Hopper is only meant to carry children when in its wagon mode. Those looking for a child-passenger-capable e-bike trailer might consider the Burley Honey Bee, or for a more premium option, the Burley D’Lite X.

While I did not have the opportunity to test the 16+ fat tires on the Hopper, I have tried them on some of the brand’s other, more rugged trailers. In those cases, they added some cushion and improved traction when riding on unpaved surfaces, so I would expect the same in the Hopper’s case.

When it comes to storing the Hopper, the storage compartment collapses in moments by squeezing the frame’s quick-release levers and folding them down. The rear wheels can be disconnected from the axles by pressing the yellow buttons on their hubs, in the reverse order of the trailer’s assembly method. Disassembly was as quick as the process of putting it together.

Ultimately, I consider the Burley Hopper to be an excellent product that is well-constructed and intuitively designed. Its ability to convert between modes and collapse for storage makes it a smart choice for those who want to spend more time on a bike but who also might be short on space.

Our team identified only a couple of relatively minor areas of critique, or at least points to be aware of, including the absence of a floor mat. Additionally, with a starting price of around $600 at the time of writing, the Hopper is a premium-tier product that may be out of reach for many consumers.

Those willing and able to spend the money will, however, likely appreciate the Hopper’s utility and durability. Whether used for family trips to the park or solo adventures in the back country, we recommend the Hopper as a convenient, multipurpose tool for moving gear or the grandkids.